Conservatives reject Grit Bin proposals

Following the problems caused by the severe weather last winter, which left residents stranded at home and many parts of the County isolated, Liberal Democrat County Councillors called upon Surrey County Council to prepare adequately to cope with ice and snow next winter. However despite their proposals receiving support from two cross-party scrutiny committees, the Conservative administration has rejected them.

Lib Dem Cllr Stephen Cooksey proposed that the Council make a firm commitment that before the 1st October 2010:

• all County Council grit bins that are damaged or have been removed should be replaced;
• all requests for new grit bins should be fully investigated - and new bins installed where the investigation shows that they are necessary;
• all County Council grit bins are filled with salt or grit

in order to ensure that the Council is prepared to cope with icy and snowy conditions next winter.

Councillor Cooksey said: "I am dismayed that the Conservatives have chosen not to commit to having grit bins ready in time for severe weather next winter - the timetable for ensuring that preparations are in place is quite short and everything should be ready no later than 1st October. After the hardship many residents endured last winter, they need assurance that when ice and snow arrive next winter all grit bins in the County will be ready to be used."

Stephen Cooksey added: "The Conservative administration's excuse that they have to discuss criteria and priorities first won't help when the snow comes and no decisions have been made and no action has been taken to prepare adequately. The reality is that it is not acceptable for residents to be confined at home because their grit bins are empty, broken or removed and that is the risk we all now face."